A handful of boys' teams just missed out on making the Preseason Top
25 but could make their way up the rankings during the 2013 season.
Let's take a closer look at
five teams that should be considered 'Dark Horses' this season:

The Titans have consistently posting winning seasons over the past
decade, so if they can find a way to make up for the loss of
leading scorer JJ Connor and prolific goaltender Tom Meyer, they
could once again break the 20-win barrier and find themselves
amongst the Top 25. GBS will look to senior Bob Meyer and juniors
Brant Boczek and Danny Correa to keep themselves in the thick of the
Central Suburban League title race in 2013.

The North Stars have done the rebuilding necessary to potentially
double last year's win total, so they should be considered a team on
the rise after nearly everyone is back from the previous season.
They will hope that a strength-in-numbers approach can help make up
for the loss of leading scorer Joey Chokran; with David Chokran,
Justin Simmonds, John Pretet, Kyle Gannon and several others in the fold, they
could do just that. Collin Bawolek was productive in a backup
goalkeeping role in 2012, so if he can become a suitable replacement
for the graduated Eli Broxham, expect North to make some waves early
this season and have no trouble breaking into the Top 25.

The Shamrocks have the pieces in place to make some noise in the
Catholic League when all is said and done in 2013. Conor O'Rourke
and Emmett Ryan should be valuable options for head coach Marty
Gibson, while goalie
Mac Potts also returns in goal to solidify a well-organized defense.
St Patrick could benefit from the addition of freshman Joseph
Gibson, who is easily one of the top newcomers in the state and
could make an immediate impact for the team.

The Phoenix finished the 2012 season on the brink of the Top 25; if
they can replace leading scorer Jake Roberts, goalie Mike Doyle and
two other starters, they could find themselves pushing for a spot
much higher than where they are starting. Curtis Thrun will be the
focal point of the offense, while AJ Burt, Kyle Mohan, Pat Budney,
and Tony Mikrut give head coach Pat Shaughnessy a handful of options
that could make North a dangerous opponent late in the season.

It was tough to drop McHenry this low in the rankings after an
impressive 18-win season, but they are faced with the tall task of
replacing most of their lineup due to graduation. The cupboard isn't
bare for head coach Craig Fowles, as Andrew Trocki and Matt Peck
could have big seasons offensively and Wyatt Schroeder returns in
goal for a team that fell one game short of another state tournament
berth. They could get right back to where they left off if they can
develop a strong supporting cast to compliment the aforementioned
players.